State lawmakers say it's too soon to talk gun control

The horrific slaughter of 26 pupils and teachers at a Newtown elementary school is sparking conversations about gun control across the country, but some legislators say it’s premature.

By ALISON SHEA

The Bulletin

By ALISON SHEA

Posted Dec. 17, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 17, 2012 at 5:03 PM

By ALISON SHEA

Posted Dec. 17, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 17, 2012 at 5:03 PM

The horrific slaughter of 26 pupils and teachers at a Newtown elementary school is sparking conversations about gun control across the country, but some legislators say it’s premature.

As she made her way back home from a noon remembrance ceremony at the capitol before heading out to a vigil in her hometown, Rep. Mae Flexer, D-Danielson, said it was too soon to start talking about gun control legislation.

“It’s a little too soon to think about that. It’s something we ought to talk about. It’s just not time yet,” she said. “Maybe when the ceremonies are finished.”

Reps. Danny Rovero, D-Killingly, and Mike Alberts, R-Woodstock, both of whom said they have gun permits, agreed that the conversation should wait until the full picture of the case emerges.

“I know we can never let something like this happen again,” Rovero said. “Something has to be done. Everyone says guns don’t kill, people do, but on the other hand, people who do things like this and get so many people are doing it with guns. I don’t know what the answer is — the Constitution says certain things, but we can’t let these massacres happen again.”

Alberts said he expects to see at least one of his colleagues put forward a gun control measure or two in the new session starting in January. He cautioned legislators that they must be careful not to paint gun owners as madmen — the vast majority “are rational, thoughtful people,” he said, adding that Connecticut already has some of the strictest gun ownership laws in the nation.

Instead of gun ownership, Alberts suggested lawmakers look at school access and security issues to make them stricter.

“I think we need to look at what are the existing (security) conditions for our schools across the state and see what changes need to be made there. I think that would be a thoughtful, rational, immediate response,” he said. He suspects school security may be an issue as older schools, where cameras and buzzers may not be incorporated into the structure as they are in newer schools.

As far as gun control legislation in Connecticut goes, nothing can happen before lawmakers return, on Jan. 9, for the beginning of a full session. A one-day special session set for Wednesday will focus only on closing the state’s budget deficit.

If and when the legislation eventually comes up, Rep. Ed Jutila, D-East Lyme, said he hopes both gun rights proponents and their opposition have a seat at the table. The goal, he said, is to “keep destructive weapons out of the hands of bad people,” but also better identify and get help for people who suffer from mental illnesses.

“I could support some kind of legislation that puts certain restrictions on gun ownership, but here’s the test: The benefit to public safety must be clear and outweigh any restriction on law-abiding citizens. It must also pass constitutional muster. We take an oath — we’ll take it again in a few weeks — to uphold the Constitution. Whether you agree with the Second Amendment or disagree with it, it is the law of the land,” he said.

Page 2 of 2 - Jutila said he hopes a bipartisan discussion can produce solutions.

“Maybe that is going to involve gun owners giving a little bit, maybe being inconvenienced a bit or some additional restrictions. I don’t know what those ways are, but they have to be part of the conversation. They certainly have to be as interested as the rest of us are in protecting in particular, children, but everyone,” Jutila said. “I don’t have the answer. I’m not sure anyone does. But we need a serious conversation.”